MARYLAND STADIUM AUTHORITY

ORIGIN & FUNCTIONS

The Maryland Stadium Authority plans, finances, builds, and manages sports facilities, convention centers, entertainment venues, and other projects in Maryland. Formed in 1986, the Authority was authorized to select a site for new sports stadiums in the Baltimore metropolitan area, and acquire, construct, and operate these facilities.


[photo, Gate C entrance, Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Eutaw St., Baltimore, Maryland] Camden Yards in downtown Baltimore was selected in 1987 by the Authority as the site for separate baseball and football facilities (Chapters 122, 123, and 124, Acts of 1987). Having entered into a long-term lease with the Orioles baseball team, the Authority acquired the site and constructed Oriole Park at Camden Yards, a baseball park that opened April 6, 1992. The Authority also managed Memorial Stadium (former home of the Baltimore Orioles) for the use of the Ravens, the National Football League team, from 1996 to 1997.

Gate C entrance, Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Eutaw St., Baltimore, Maryland, July 2001. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.


[photo, M & T Bank [Ravens] Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland] In the sports complex at Camden Yards, the Ravens' new home opened September 6, 1998. Following the Ravens' move to the new stadium, Memorial Stadium (at 33rd Street in northeast Baltimore), remained vacant. Demolition of Memorial Stadium began in 2001 and was completed on February 15, 2002.

Originally called PSINet Stadium, the football field was called Ravens Stadium at Camden Yards from February 28, 2002 until May 6, 2003. It was renamed M & T Bank Stadium on May 6, 2003.


M & T Bank [Ravens] Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland, May 2015. Photo by Sarah A. Hanks.


As a public corporation of Maryland, the Authority may issue tax-exempt bonds for financing its operations. Proceeds from the sale of Authority bonds and revenues collected or received from any other source, including a tax on gate receipts at Oriole Park, are deposited in the Maryland Stadium Authority Financing Fund. The Fund is a revolving fund for carrying out the purposes of the Authority.

Subject to approval by the Board of Public Works, the Authority may hold an ownership interest in and operate a professional football or major league baseball team or team franchise, on a temporary basis, during a transition of the team or team franchise to private ownership.

The Authority consists of seven members who serve four-year terms. Six are appointed by the Governor with Senate advice and consent. One is chosen by the Mayor of Baltimore with Senate advice and consent. The Governor names the chair. With the Governor's approval, the Authority appoints the Executive Director (Code Economic Development Article, secs. 10-601 through 10-655).

Work of the Authority is assigned to seven groups: Capital Projects Development; Facilities; Finance; Human Resources; Marketing and Communications (& Maryland Sports); Procurement; Public Safety and Security.


CAPITAL PROJECTS DEVELOPMENT GROUP

The Capital Projects Development Group was first organized as Project Management, and reformed under its present name in 2014.

The Group oversees matters relating to the Baltimore City Convention Center, the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center (Hippodrome Theatre Complex), the Montgomery County Conference Center, and the Ocean City Convention Center.

Projects that have been completed by the Authority include:


[photo, Baltimore Convention Center, West Pratt St., Baltimore, Maryland]

Baltimore Convention Center, West Pratt St., Baltimore, Maryland, April 2001. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.


Additionally, the Maryland Stadium Authority oversees the construction and revitalization of certain Baltimore City public schools, and the demolition of blighted structures throughout Baltimore City as part of Project C.O.R.E. (Creating Opportunities for Renewal and Enterprise).

Under the Capital Project Development Group are Projects and Studies; and School Projects.

PROJECTS & STUDIES


MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS GROUP

MARYLAND SPORTS
In October 2017, Maryland Sports was established by statute (Chapter 575, Acts of 2017).

Maryland Sports works to bring regional, national and international sporting events to Maryland. Also, for the National Association of Sports Commissions, Maryland Sports serves as the State's sports commission.

The Maryland Stadium Authority may establish affiliated foundations to work with Maryland Sports. Such affiliated foundations are not units of State government or instrumentalities of the State. To promote sports in Maryland, however, they may solicit and receive contributions from businesses, individuals, government entities, and nonprofit organizations (Chapter 575, Acts of 2017; Code Economic Development Article, sec. 10-612).

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